Long the clubhouse leaders for Dalvin Cook, the Dolphins are now looking into the Pro Bowl back as a free agent. Months after exploring a trade with the Vikings, the Dolphins have spoken to the six-year veteran.
Cook said during an interview with Sirius XM Radio’s Amber Theoharris he has spoken with the Dolphins and believes he would be a perfect fit in their system. The only back to total at least 1,100 rushing yards in each of the past four seasons, Cook expressed interest in joining the Dolphins shortly after his Vikings release.
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“Yeah, it’s an exciting situation to go into when you got guys that can stretch the field on the outside. I think that defense is pretty solid to me. Tua [Tagovailoa], when he’s out on the field, they got a winning a record,” Cook said of the Dolphins (h/t to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson). “… As a running back you look for a certain scheme and I know the scheme that I’m good in, and that’s outside zone, and that’s what the Miami Dolphins run. So it’s like, you know, it’d be a perfect fit.”
PFR readers are viewing Miami as the clear frontrunner to be Cook’s next home. Cook does not necessarily disagree, though it is believed more teams are exploring a signing. The longtime starter has said he wants to join a contending team that has a regular role for him. The Dolphins were active at the running back position this offseason, but they do not have a back that would directly impede Cook taking over.
Miami recently re-signed Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and Myles Gaskin, keeping costs low. After spending time with Texas A&M’s Devon Achane before the draft, the Dolphins drafted the SEC speedster. Cook would crowd Mike McDaniel‘s backfield, though Gaskin did not receive any guaranteed money to come back.
“A lot of people got me pegged going back home,” Cook said (via Harris) of a Dolphins deal. “A lot of people got me going to the Jets. It’s all over the place right now, but what’s gonna be important for me is just going to that right situation and helping somebody turn the page. I want to go and be the piece that can just help somebody win and get over the hump and whatever that situation comes with, if it comes with me taking less reps, but me being in the perfect situation to hold up that trophy, I don’t mind.
“I just wanna go somewhere I can just get the ball and just help somebody win, and turn the next page.”
Being willing to accept a lesser role may be important, but Cook preparing himself for a lower payday will be as well. The Dolphins are expected to make an offer, but it should not be anticipated said proposal will come in too close to the $10.4MM base salary Cook was to earn with the Vikings this year. Minnesota bailed on Cook’s $12.6MM-per-year contract, which ran through 2025, after months of separation speculation. The talented back, who is going into his age-28 season, has also said his shoulder is healed up from a February surgery.
The Dolphins hold $13.9MM in cap space. While the Jets’ number is much higher ($23.2MM), the team remains in the process of negotiating an Aaron Rodgers restructure. Due to a Packers reworking, Rodgers is currently tied to a $1.2MM 2023 cap number but an astonishing $107.6MM figure for 2024. The Jets are exploring ways to adjust the deal, which would result in his 2023 cap hit rising. New York could have an opening alongside Breece Hall, who is returning from an October ACL tear. The Jets’ backup situation also appears less promising compared to the Dolphins’, but Miami would both offer Cook a chance to play in his hometown and provide a clearer path into the starting lineup.
Miami looks to be the clear front-runner for Cook’s services at this time but other teams are still interested. Not saying it is happening but if Sean Payton decides he doesn’t want to run the season with just Samaje Perine and an injured Javonte Williams I could see Rob Walton throwing the money at Cook. Correct me if I am wrong but cap space doesn’t matter as much when the owner has the cash to pay upfront right?
I think teams can get fined, lose draft picks, or have contracts voided if they’re over the cap. It’s not worth it.
Thanks for commenting but you missed the question. I am well aware of cap violations, my question and is more towards the loop hole that exists that allows cash heavy teams to pay large signing bonuses that do not go against the cap. It was a popular topic of discussion on different networks last off-season, one of those was the crew on the Pat McAfee show and I remember them bringing in a few experts who flat out said that owners with an abundance of cash can pay for players that cash poor teams such as the Raiders cannot. It is the same concept as when a team converts a player’s base salary into a signing bonus in order to get under the cap.
When they convert to a signing bonus it just spreads the money over the remaining years.
Exactly just like the Cash Over Cap loophole, just keep kicking it down the road.
With or without Cook – the Dolphins season will be decided on if Tua can stay upright and play or not. I know there’s a lot of teams you could say the same thing about. However- Tua and his concussion issues kind of standout. I’ll be shocked if he’s still in the league in a couple years.
Or cardinals